Festival aces come together for Anglo-Irish challenge

There will be Cheltenham Festival winners galore at Kingston Blount on Friday when the course stages the Bicester Office Park Anglo-Irish Challenge, its most popular meeting of the year.

The event, in its fifth year, involves four races – with the first at 4pm – a conditions race and a maiden for the men and an intermediate and ladies' open for the women. A novice riders' race and mens' open complete the card, and every race will be worth £1,000. Britain has triumphed in every renewal so far.

The rules have changed this year however, as the horses and riders will be drawn before the start of each race. First place is worth 12 points, second eight, third five, and three points are up for grabs for fourth.

Will Biddick, Evan David, John Dawson and Alex Edwards represent the men for the home team, with Gina Andrews, Bryony Frost, Claire Hardwick and Tabitha Worsley lining up for the women.

Gina Andrews: won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup aboard Doomsday BookCredit: Mark Cranham

Ireland is sending over a powerful team headed by last season's champion amateur Jamie Codd and Derek O'Connor, who won the National Hunt Chase aboard Chicago Grey in 2011. Noel McParlan and Barry O'Neill complete the team.

Lisa O'Neill, who won this year's National Hunt Chase with Tiger Roll, is set to join Liz Lalor, Shauna Larkin and Maxine O'Sullivan.

Alex Hammond and Victoria Pendleton will be presenting. Admission is £10 per person and under 18s go free